Fans know Kee Chan from “Mortal Engines ” and “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.” Now he has found a new home on The CW with his role as the ruthless businessman Russell Tan. The actor shares a bit about that character, life on the set of  “Kung Fu,” and how the roles for Asians in the past were limited and mainly stereotyped.  This new series “Kung Fu” is a reimagining of the 70s series but set in the present day, and boasts a female in the lead role. This new version has proved very successful and is being praised for being the first network drama with a predominantly Asian American cast.

Born in Singapore, Kee has an impressive filmography that also includes “Mission: Impossible II,” and Sir Patrick Stewart’s mini-series “Moby Dick.” He has some great stories to tell about these roles. Get to know this very talented actor and find out why he carries a sketch pad whereever to goes.

Kee Chan. Photo credit: Richie Lubaton

Colleen Bement: Thank you so very much for taking time out for the interview. Welcome to the “Kung Fu” family. I understand that you were introduced at the end of season one and that you play the role of a wealthy and powerful businessman. Just a few questions:

1.) What can you share about your character as well as this mystery surrounding his big plan?

Kee Chan: Ruthless and bent on achieving his vision for a new order in society, at his heart Russell Tan is complex and dealing with personal demons which haunt him at every juncture of his journey. His love for his children is overshadowed by his need for achieving all he dreams and his fear of mortality

2.) What has life been like on the set and how has everyone welcomed you?

KC: They are the most bonded crew, their unspoken support is an elixir for creativity to an actor. It was the safest emotional space and enabled me to imagine a Russell without inhibition.

3.) What did you find challenging about the role?

KC: Not challenging but what I found exciting about Russell was creating psychological depths in pursuit of his goals and yet making his dogma and complexity mesmerizing and his pain and disquiet relatable to the audience.

CB: Do you have any other projects that you’re allowed to tell us about?

KC: Canadian writer-director and dear friend Matthew Rankin will direct me and another actor in his script about two guys’ trials and determination to survive in a desert, their journey of discoveries of whom they are, their mettle, and their beliefs.

CB: So many of our readers are big “Star Wars” fans and I’d like to ask about your role in “Revenge of the Sith.” What was it like to be a part of a “Star Wars” movie? Did you grow up being a fan at all?

KC: For anyone, let alone an actor, being in the original George Lucas “Star Wars” was an impossible dream come true because it was a story and legend that was a part of your growing up. It was in the scene when the main actors congregated for the arrival of Emperor Palpatine in his Ship and I was surrounded by them all, it suddenly dawned on me whilst in their midst, that I was not watching television, but I was actually IN “Star Wars.” It was a moment I will never forget and I remember thinking if only everyone could experience this almost transcendental feeling!

CB: Let’s talk “Mortal Engines.” That was such a fun film! Do you have any stories from the set?

KC: Working with legendary filmmakers always fills you with trepidation, but “Mortal Engines” was another of those rare films where the production was collectively warm, genuine, and engaging, that it no longer was work but a joy. I took away many memories and some very dear friends. The most novel experience was standing atop a green man-made mountain out in the lot some two stories high with my Governor Kwan’s soldiers and looking down at the parking lot and the crew below and imagining it to be a vast wasteland.

CB: What sparked your interest in becoming an actor? Did you start out on stage or in front of the camera?

KC: I never had an opportunity to be on stage because in my early days there was a dearth of roles for Asians and POC in the industry, from screen to stage, and those that existed were mainly gratuitous and stereotyped. I forged a career by doing short films initially and creating engaging and compelling characters even for the one liners and decided that I needed to be distinctive amongst the handful of male Asians going for the same role all the time, so I shaved my head and have remained bald ever since.

Kee Chan. Photo credit: Richie Lubaton

CB: How do you spend your free time and what is another passion that you have, besides acting?

KC: I love being in the mountains and the wilderness, hiking trails and swimming, Always carrying a sketch pad to document what I see. I even take a postcard size sketch folder on set to do three minute sketches of the activity in front of me in between set ups and often give these ink pictures to the crew member at hand. Sketching is calming and stills the soul.